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By Rinku Gupta The lockdown has brought about many changes in the lives of people. For Shanthnu Bhagyaraj and wife Kiki Vijay , the period has led to the formation of their own You Tube channel called 'With Love Shanthnu Kiki'. What's more, the duo made  their first short film and  uploaded it, called Konjam Corona, Naraya Kadhal, aka  KoCoNaKa,  which went on to become a huge hit. The film marks  Shanthnu's debut as a director. It  may be recalled that  Kiki is a well known TV anchor and runs her own dance studio. Now the short film marks her debut as an actor. With over 1.6 million views and counting,  the film,  shot entirely at home due to the lockdown,  has garnered huge appreciation from peers and fans alike. The  chemistry of the couple, it would seem, had already caught the eye of advertisers as well. Shanthnu ( who is awaiting the release of Vijay starrer Master, his next film) and wife Kiki had signed up last ye...

By Rinku Gupta Produced by Jyotika & Suriya Productions, Ponmagal Vandhal is a coutroom drama  dealing with the topical issue of child abuse,  rampant in society. Currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, it's the first Tamil film to release directly, (sans a theatrical release) on OTT, during the lockdown. Jyotika plays Venba, a lawyer, who along with her mentor Pethuraj( K Bhagyaraj, aptly cast) fights for the rights of  Jyothi, wrongly accused and branded a child lifter and killed  for crimes she did not commit. Venba, who is fighting her first case,  is up against a powerful politico ( Thiagarajan, who nails it) and his lawyer ( Parthiepan in a convincing performance). Moreover, more than 15 years has passed since the crime, making evidence difficult to procure   Venba has to overcome all these obstacles to prove the innocence of Jothi. Does she succeed? More importantly, why is this case so important for her personally? ...

By Rinku Gupta Director Gautham Menon's recent short film Karthik Dial Seytha Yenn featuring STR and Trisha has been garnering eyeballs, on his Ondraga You Tube channel. The team made the film online during the lockdown.  Apparently,  Gautham has been spending his lockdown time doing  a lot of writing and this short film is part of a sequence planned for his Vinnaithandi Varuvaya ( VTV) sequel. Now, in an online live chat with the Cinema Express portal today, Gautham replied to a fans' question about the possibility of working with Ajith Kumar again.     Gautham Menon with Ajith Kumar          Ajith as Satyadeva and Arun Vijay as                            Viktor in Yennai Arindhaal Gautham revealed that during the covid lockdown he has written a dialogue between the  Satyadeva and Viktor characters of his film Yennai Arindhaal. What's more...

By Rinku Gupta Jyotika &Suriya Productions' Ponmagal Vandhal has not only brought the couple together as producers, but also back together for another reason! Suriya and Jyotika came together for a joint interview online, with ace Mumbai based Bollywood film critic, Rajeev Masand. Featuring  in an interview on his You Tube channel,  on the eve of the OTT release of Ponmagal Vandhal ( on Amazon Prime on May 29th), the duo were all smiles and relaxed as they fielded questions from Masand. " This is our first interview together after nearly 13 years , " revealed Suriya at the outset. He seemed happy about the OTT release which will showcase the film in over 200 countries. From questions about the film,  to family matters,  the duo answered them all with aplomb. The duo revealed little nuggets about their personal life as well. When asked about their kids, Diya and Dev, Jyotika revealed, " They have written about 5000 words on their ex...

By Rinku Gupta While post-production work with lockdown precautions in place is taking  place in Kollywood, and director Gautham Menon has even directed a short film completely online, (Karthik Dial Seytha Yenn with STR , Trisha), in Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar was spotted shooting outdoors on a set at the Kamalistan studio in Mumbai. Social media went into a tizzy as photos appeared online.  It was revealed that the filming was for an important social cause,  with necessary permissions in place and with strict protocols.       Akshay Kumar at the shooting spot                Director Balki with the crew Produced by Anil Naidu, the film is touted to be a public awareness ad film  created for the Health Ministry, directed by Padman and Mission Mangal fame Balki.  The awareness film, focuses on the public's  responsibilities in the post lockdown period and the continued precautions to t...

By Rinku Gupta Even as ace Bollywood producer Karan Johar celebrated his 48th birthday today at home with his family,  he also shared news about a covid scare in his household amidst the lockdown. Apparently,  two of his staff members at home tested positive for the covid 19 virus. Johar lives in Mumbai with his mom Hiroo Johar and twin kids, Yash and Roohi. Yash and Roohi celebrating dad Karan Johar's birthday Johar put out a clarification on social media for concerned fans and reassured them that the necessary quarantine measures have been taken and the family members andrestof the staff  are safe: I'd like to inform you that 2 members of our household staff have t ested positive for Covid-1 9. As soon as the symptoms were detected,  they were put under quarantine in a section of our building.The BMC  was informed immediately, and the building has been fumigated and  sterilised by them as per the norms.  Th...

By Rinku Gupta One of the most anticipated movies from Mollywood, " Kurup ” was to  have been released on the big screen this week.  But due to the Covid situation, the release is postponed. Nonetheless Dulquer Salmaan   rolled out a festive gift in the form of a second look poster for the movie. After Second Show, Dulquer's debut film, the director of the same, Srinath Rajendran and Dulquer, are reuniting for this mega project with a reported budget of Rs 35 crore. The second look poster shows a very stylish Dulquer with swag, sending fans into a tizzy. The poster features  Dulquer as “Kurup”in a stylish get-up with a coat and sun glasses.  The film reportedly draws inspiration from the life of the infamous fugitive Sukumara Kurup. In his  career this is supposedly the biggest budget Mollywood movie that Dulquer has ventured into. Dulquer has produced the same under his banner Wayfarer Films along with M Star Entertainment. Sobhitha Dhuli...

By Rinku Gupta Hero Shanthnu Bhagyaraj discovered his directorial flair during the covid lockdown by making a short film at home and acting in it as well, with wife Kiki Vijay as heroine. The film has been lauded for its content, presentation and message, with appreciation pouring in on social media. Shanthnu and wife Kiki Vijay                      Shanthnu Bhagyaraj Shanthnu shows the film to his father, ace director K Bhagyaraj A grateful Shanthnu wrote a letter of thanks to the media and fans for the overwhelming support for the film #KoCoNaKa. " Dear Friends from the Press, fellow industry members, fans and well wishers,  Kindly treat this presser as an extension of our thanks towards the wonderful support received for our first short film "Konjam Corona Naraiyya Kadhal" during these strange circumstances. Thanks to your support, the short film has garnered over 7.5 lakh views on o...

By Rinku Gupta The Daggubati  and Bajaj families are undoubtedly on cloud nine after the Roka function of Tollywood hunk, actor Rana Daggubati and Miheeka Bajaj yesterday at Hyderabad.   Chaitanya and Samantha at the Rana- Miheeka ' Roka ' function  Now, actor Samantha Akkineni , wife of Rana's first cousin Chaitanya Akkineni, has wished the happy couple while posting photos with them and the young cousins, at the ceremony. Samantha who is looking radiant in an elegant yellow Churidar Kurta, has posted on her Insta page, " Thank you for bringing us the best news of 2020 @ranadaggubati @miheeka .. here's to  your happily ever after." Samantha indicated that she has been busy sending the close knit family function photos to rest of the uncles and aunties of the extended family members of the Daggubati- Akkineni clan who could not be present at the ceremony. She also proudly posted a pic of her rather reticent handsome husband  Naga Chaitanya,...